On Saturday July 17th. 2010, John was Ordained as an Interfaith Minister. For more details about his work and ministry see www.pilgrimways.co.uk
"I cannot be defined,
No label sticks to me,
No pigeon hole do I fit.
I am connected to everything,
I am part of the whole.
A part has no meaning on its own."
(John Merrill 17/9/2010)
My religion is simple - "I love everything and everyone".
"The miracle of life is not flying through the air, nor walking upon the water, but walking upon the earth." Chinese saying.
"Wakan Tanka smiles upon us because now we are as one; Earth, sky, all living things - The two-legged, four-legged, the winged ones, The trees, and the grasses." Lakota traditional.
"There are many paths up a mountain, but only one summit" John Merrill, August 2011.
Celebrating 42 years of Marathon walking - 1970 - 2012.
BRITAINS GREATEST WALKER.
My latest "short" walk of some 250 miles, was along the Cathar Way in southern France - September 13th-28th. 2011. A great, beautiful, remote, hard, hot walk, full of fascinating history. The photo of me is at Montsegur, beside the monument where 200 Cathars were burnt at the stake in the 13th. century.
I walk for the exercise; to stretch my legs and muscles; to suck in the fresh air and be free in the wide, wide world, as I walk upon Mother Earth.
I walk to see the trees; that sway in the breeze. To watch the leaves flutter in summer and to walk through on the ground in November. I observe the quietness of winter and watch the buds form ready to emerge when it is their time.
I walk to see the wild flowers; the wood anemones, the blue bells, red campion, and orchids that grow in Spring and early summer.
I walk to listen to the birds that sing in the hedgerows and trees. The friendly Robin is not far away, the started Jay or motionless heron standing at the waters edge. A sudden flash of blue as a kingfisher shoots by.
I walk to see the wild animals; the red fox, the deer, the squirrel and the insects and butterflies, like the dragonfly and red admiral butterfly.
I walk to see the views; to ascend a lofty peak and sit upon the summit surveying everything below, like an eagle high in the air.
I walk for solitude; peace and quiet, to go back to the basics of life, where it is just man and the elements.
I walk in the sunshine; the rain, snow and wind. All has its own beauty and characteristic. All are the cycles of life. I admire the cloudless sky and the rolling clouds of wind and storm.
I walk to see the work of man and God, knowing that we are all connected. Everything has its own beauty. As the sun sets and I walk home, I know I have lived and experienced a full day, witnessing the whole spectrum of life. I am grateful, very grateful, that God gave me two fine legs, a healthy heart and good lungs to see paradise on Earth.
Revd. John N. Merrill 2011
Walking is my passion and life' work. I attempt to write books on the whole spectrum of walking - countryside, towns and villages, mountains, coast, islands, day challenges and long walks both day and multiple days. At the John Merrill Foundation, I believe in the importance of providing a quality guidebook. That’s why every book we sell is guaranteed to be exactly as described and to arrive in good condition and autographed free. All our printed and bound by me and are totally all my own work.
A satisfied customer is a repeat customer and one who enjoyed my described walk. We want you choosing us first whenever my walk guidebooks can meet your needs.
If ever you have a question or concern about doing business with us, you can use the information on our Contact Us page to reach us.
You can be sure we’ll do everything we can to address your concerns in a courteous way. We’re not happy until you’re happy.
At The John Merrill Foundation, you get the walk guides you want and service with a happy walking smile.
The books are printed from a 100% sustainable forest. The John Merrill Foundation plantes sufficient trees through The Woodland Trust tp replenish the trees used in its publications. The John Merrill Foundation is the publisher of all John Merrill's walk and history books - over 320 titles. All are available - see the individual sections for different types of walks - and if you want any information about them, send your postal address via our email - marathonhiker@aol.com - and we will send you everything.
BOOK PRICES - Please note the book prices are in US dollars, as we are integrated with Paypal banking worldwide. We also supply guidebooks worldwide. The book prices are worked out on the basis of $1.5 USd to £1 sterling.The UK price for each book is displayed at the end of each book's page. For example a book at - £5.95 = $10 £6.95 = $12 £7.95 = $14 £9.95 = $18 £10.95 = $20 £11.95 = $22 £12.95 = $24 £15.95 = $30 All books are sent first class post in Britain and are charged at $2 per book (£1.50) for postage and packing. Each subsequent book is £1. Elsewhere in the world they are sent printed Airmail printed paper rate.
The prices are listed in US Dollars as we recieve orders worldwide. If your PayPal account is in a different currency a competetive exchange rate will be determined by PayPal. You can print off the order forms and send a sterling cheque with your order, if you prefer.
ALL MY BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE FROM www.amazon.co.uk
Lets Go for a Walk - free walks, taken from John's latest book - so you have excuse but to get your boots on and start treading the globe! He will take parties upto a maximum of ten people around the route - provided participants book in advance.
John Merrill also lectures extensively about walking and his walks - see the Illustrated Lectects section for full details. See John's new page - "The Art of Walking the John Merrill Way." Walk two of John Merrill's classic walks in the Peak District -
THE LIMEY WALK - 40 miles down 20 limestone dales; created, devised and written about in 1969. June 2009 is the 40th anniversary of this fine walk.
THE PEAKLAND WAY - 100 miles - the first circular long distance walk around the Peak District, created, devised and written about in 1972.
On October 9th. 2010 following his Annual Memorial Lecture to the Wainwright Society, John was made an Honorary Member; I am most humbled by this.
John is also -
Honorary Member of the Paxton Society.
Honorary Vice President of the Chesterfield Canal Society.
Honorary and Founder Member of the Dronfield Rotary Club.
Honorary Member of the Backpackers Club.
Former Honorary President of the Derby Mountain Rescue Team.
Thank you for visiting and Happy walking!
John N. Merrill
email us - marathonhiker@aol.com
Remember - "For every mile that walk, you extend your life by 21 minutes!"
see me on youtube - www.youtube.com/user/buddhamerrill
Badges and certificates - £6.00 each ($9) - send your postal address, date/s of the walk, and names for the certificates. See separate section. All walkers writing in for badges/certificates, having completed a walk, have their names added to the "ROLL OF HONOUR" section on this website.
You are invited to send me pictures of your walk for adding to section. Congratulations to Colin Banks of Cheshire who has just walked 24 miles a day, for 8 days, along the Coast to Coast Walk; he raised over £3,000
There are walkers ..... and there is a walker There are writers .... and there is a writer
No one has ever walked so much or written so much. He is always copied and but never equalled.
Many people use my challenge walks to raise money for charity. Recently a party of Manchester who walked the White Peak Challenge walk and raised about £10,000 for NSPCC and Cancer Research; this means that money raised is now over over £762,000 - WELL DONE TO YOU ALL AND THANK YOU.
My latest coastal walk - April 2011 was around the Islands of Essex; amazing walking. Another book is about the walk around the coastline of the Isle of Jersey - 51 miles, a superb walk in brilliant weather! This new UK Island Walk Book was published on June 22nd 2009! I have now walked all the Islands of Essex - November 2010 - and a new book is in preparation...some great walking and islands.
Seven new Pilgrim Way guides are now out, having spent the summer walking and checking the routes - Folkestone, Hythe - Canterbury - 25 miles London - Canterbury - 75 miles London - St. Albans - 34 miles London - Walsingham - 190 miles. The John Schorne Peregrination in Buckinghamshire - 28 miles. St. Cedd's Pilgrimage in Essex - 24 miles. St. Birinus Pilgrimage - 26 miles in Oxfordshire.
In May 2008 I walked around Hayling Island and a new book on this island walk is now out! - a superb small island of diverse scenery.
John Merrill on June 5th. 2011, after crossing the finishing line in Potters Field, near Tower Bridge, London, after joining 1,500 walkers on a six mile "Walk for Life". Combined we raised about £230,000 for HIV/AIDS help in Africa. I know only a short walk, but great fun along the streets of London and great entertainment at the end.Being the 21st. anniversary of the walk, we were asked to wear fancy dress! I even got a medal for completing the walk! Why not take part next year? - see www.walkforlife.co.uk - see my link page. I would like to see more walkers taking part in what is a good day out and a pleasant stroll around central London...come and join us! ,
Some notable charity walkers - Bruce King and party walked the White Peak Challenge Walk and raised money for the Alziemer's Society, on Saturday June 18th. 2011. September 22nd. 2007 - Graham Ladds and party of five who walked the Little John Challenge walk - 28 miles in Sherwood Forest. They raised £400.00 for the Home Start Charity in Edwinstowe. Congratulations to them. On October 5th. Roy Pullan of Cheshire, aged 79, wrote to tell me walked the Cheshire Ring Canal Walk, with my book. Alone over 8 days he completed the 100 mile walk and raised £1,305 for the East Cheshire Hospice in Macclesfield. He is an inspiration to us all.
THE LIMEY WAY IS 42 YEARS OLD!!
John Merrill's first and classic walk, through twenty limestone dales of the Peak District - 40 miles - June 2009 is the walks 40th. birthday. Now walked by more than 25,000 who have raised thousands of pounds for charity. Arguably the finest limestone dale walk in the country.
Happy walking! John Merrill
LANDS END TO JOHN O' GROATS WALK -
My congratulations to James Cain, an octogenarian who has just completed a walk from Land's End to John o'Groats on September 23rd. 2010 -
His walk details -
96 days of walking
1050 miles walked
292 pints of beer drunk
3.5 miles per pint
80 years of age when he started at Land's End
87 1/4 years of age at John O' Groats.
Well done to him; an inspiration to us all....keep on walking!
John Merrill's latest news -
Over the New Year 2012,- first footing - John led two walks for Network Christians in Hertfordshire Woods. On the first walk he led 70 people round a walk - see photos - a good time was had by all!
New badges -
JOIN JOHN ON MORNING WALKS - 5 TO 6 MILES LONG
All start at 10am and cost £1.
January 11th. 2012 - New River, Enfield. Bulls Cross. NGR TL372068
July - New Pilgrimage Walk book - Our Lady of Caversham (Reading) - 36 miles.
24/5/11 - Two new books out -
Long circular walks in the North Chilterns,
Pilgrimage walk to Our Lady of Utling.
17/4/2011 - Three walkers walked the Epping Forest Challenge Walk - 21 miles - in 6 1/2 hours and raised £400 for charity.
22/4/2011 - New book - London Interfaith Walks - seven religious themed walks in London and much, much more!
28/4/2011 - New book - Long Circular Walks in the North Hills of the Chilterns - 10 walks - 9 to 18 miles long, plus an anytime challenge walk - The Rickman Challenge Walk - 26 miles.
May 5th. 2011 - Bishop's Stortford National Trust Group - Lecture - Turn Right at Death Valley - the story of my 4,234 miles walk across America.
May 17th. 1.40pm -BBC Radio London - Talking about nis new London Interfaith Walk book.
JOHN MERRILL'LATEST BOOKS -
New 42 mile walk from Edmonton Green, North London to Saffron Walden. Publishing September 2011.
Our Lady of Caversham Pilgrimage Walk - 38 miles. From Windsor to Reading/Caversham via the The Thames. A stunning walk!
80 pages. 90 photos. 10 maps. A5. Wire bound.
Due out August 12th. 2011. £9.95
Back my popular demand! More than 60 challenge and long walks in the area.
A5 118 pages. wire bound. 50 photos. 50 maps. £9.95. Many ideas and a life of walking inside the covers.
Published - March 25th. 2011 - See Day Challenge walks section for more details.
WALKING THE CHELMER & BLACKWATER NAVIGATION - END TO END - 19 MILES
A stunning walk in Essex, from Maldon to Chelmsford, along a "forgotten England Waterway". One of the finest long walks in Essex. Due out on late September 2010.
ST. BIRINUS PILGRIMAGE WALK - 26 MILES. Circular walk from Wallingford, Oxfordshire, via Churn Knob (photo) to Dorchester Abbey and the shrine of St. Birinus, founded in 633AD. Then back along the Thames Path to Wallingford. An amazing walk of hills, churches, historical Iron Age Mounds and secluded villages.
St. CEDD'S PILGRIMAGE WALK - 24 MILES A magnificent remote walk around the Dengie Peninsula in Essex, to St. Peter's Chapel on the wall, founded by St. Cedd in 654 AD.
LONDON TO WALSINGHAM - 174/194 MILES England's premier pilgrim's route fully described with the option of looping via Bury St. Edmunds - a pilgrimage centre in its own right. A5 book. Wire bound. 256 pages. 250 photos. 41 maps. UK price - £14.95.
FOLKESTONE, HYTHE TO CANTERBURY - 25 MILES Beautiful peaceful walk across the Kent countryside to Canterbury, tracing the medieval pigrims route to Thomas Becket's shrine. Amazing church's and rolliong countryside. A walk, challenge and pilgrimage for all. 68 pages. 6 maps. 43 colour photographs. £9.95 ISBN 978-0-9560649-8-1 Published August 29th. 2009.
A WALK AROUND JERSEY COASTLINE A stunning 51 mile walk around the entire island, eith over 3 or 5 days. Beautiful sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and headland and a rich military history, are just some of the delights of the island. 84 pages.9 maps 41 b/w photographs.40 colour photographs. A5 Spiral bound £8.95 ISBN 978-0-9556511-3-7 Published June 26th. 2009.
Recently PUBLISHED - "A Walk around Hayling Island" A really stunning walk of 24 miles; beaches, wild flowers, sea birds galore, inns, thatched houses and much much more. ISBN 978-0-9556511-6-8 A5. 40 pages. 2 maps. 23 colour photographs. My first colour walk guide! See Coast Walk books for more details
WALKS IN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF BARNET - Published late April 2008 Fifteeen walks in the borough, including The Pymmes Brook Trail; London Loop, The Capital Ring and Dollis Brook Valley Green Walk. Historical walks around Barnet and the Battle of Barnet, Monken Hadley and Mill Hill. Other walks to Arkley Windmill, and Edwarebury. Plus park walks including Friary Park and other walk suggestions. 124 pages. 23 maps. 50 phtographs. £9.95 ISBN 978-0-9556511-4- See London Walks section for more details and ordering.
Congratulations to Danny Long of Saffron Walden. He has just completed 30 of my challenge walks - more than 800 miles of walking - photo opposite, taken on April 8th. 2011.
We now have plaques for people who have walked 40 and 50 of my challenge walks.
Joel E. Foote of Nottinghamshire did his first walk of mine, in June 2000, aged 4 1/2 - a 3 mile walk around Matlock. See his page - A Young Walker's Story.
Site last updated January 10th. 2012.
May I wish you all Happy Walking in 2012. May you enjoy each moment as you follow your path.
Thoughts for the day -
"Take a 10 - 30 min walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant."
"Once every three to five years, embark on a journey on your own."
At the suggestion of Mark Radford, who sent the photo on the left, of us both in 1981, you are invited to send me your photos of us or on one of my walks for adding to the Old Photos page. Stewart Wragg of Sheffield has sent me his story and pictures of walking the Pennine Way in 1975. See separate section. Those were the good old days of freedom and great equipment - worth reading and seeing. Happy walking!
See new page - ROUND BRITAIN WALKERS - For information about the current people walking in my footsteps around the coast of Britain.
New 42 mile walk from Edmonton Green, North London to Saffron Walden. Publishing September 2011.
Back my popular demand! More than 60 challenge and long walks in the area.
